Live blog: Michigan seeking throwback performance against Penn State

Tim Hardaway Jr., who was 1-of-11 shooting Tuesday against Penn State, is looking to get back on track.Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

ANN ARBOR --

Michigan 79, Penn State 71
-- Final
It was lethargic early, and ugly throughout, but Michigan escaped with a badly needed win. It was a breakout day for Glenn Robinson III, who matched his career high of 21 points without missing a shot. Fellow freshman Nik Stauskas added 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Michigan would take those performances any day -- and that's not even mentioning Trey Burke's season-high 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting. He also had five assists and no turnovers. ... At the end of the day, though, defense remains a growing concern. It took all that offense just to beat the 0-13 Nittany Lions by eight. Michigan now has a week off to work on its 'D' -- which it surely needs to make any kind of tournament run.

Michigan 69, Penn State 61
-- 3:08 second half
Nik Stauskas, you may have heard, is not just a shooter. The freshman just uncorked another solid drive, this one resulting in a bucket near the rim that gives Michigan an eight-point lead with 3:08 remaining. The teams are trading buckets right now -- which, obviously, is a good thing for the team already up by eight.

Michigan 65, Penn Sate 58
-- 5:10 second half
Tim Hardaway Jr. was just 1of-11 shooting against Michigan State, and is only 3-of-9 today ... but the last make was a big one, a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to seven. Big bucket.

Michigan 60, Penn State 54
-- 7:50 second half
Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III had been struggling. Today, they combine for 35 points on 1o-of-13 shooting. Trey Burke having a game, too, with a team-high 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Still, Michigan up just six points as we prepare for the stretch run. That has to be concerning.

Michigan 53, Penn State 50
-- 10:57 second half
No one had been struggling as badly as Glenn Robinson III -- but the freshman now has 17 points on 6-of-6 shooting, including an array of spectacular dunks and alley-oops. This is his best game in more than a month -- and has a team-high five rebounds as well.

Michigan 43, Penn State 38
-- 15:21 second half
Nik Stauskas already has hit a transition layup, two free throws and now a 3-pointer in the first 4:39 of the second half. That gives him 13 points for the game -- just one point off his Big Ten high, with 15:21 to play.

Michigan 38,Penn State 32
-- 17:20 first half
Michigan on a 12-2 run after a 6-2 finish to the first half, then a 6-0 start to the second. Glenn Robinson slammed home his third dunk -- a positive sign for a guy who had been scuffling -- and Nik Stauskas added a layup and two free throws.

Michigan 32, Penn State 32
-- Halftime
If you're having trouble sleeping, flip on this game. What a mess. Michigan lacked energy for much of the first half, and is lucky to even be even with the 0-12 Nittany Lions. Trey Burke has been terrific, scoring 14 points on nine shots, but there wasn't another Michigan player who hit a shot in the first 12-plus minutes. Glenn Robinson III has shown some life, scoring eight points and grabbing four rebounds, encouraging signs after he struggled so badly at Michigan State. Michigan also is getting beat inside, where it's being outscored 12-8 and outrebounded 19-14.

Penn State 30, Michigan 25
-- 2:24 first half
Trey Burke is 4-of-8 from the field. The rest of Michigan is 4-of-15. This just isn't getting it done. If the Wolverines thought it was embarrassing losing by 23 to Michigan State, falling at home against 0-12 Penn State would be even worse. No question.

Penn State 25, Michigan 23
-- 5:03 first half
Michigan showing some signs of life after Trey Burke fed Glen Robinson III for an alley-oop, Caris LeVert took a charge and then Mitch McGary found Robinson with a no-look pass for an easy slam. U-M finally in business.

Penn State 21, Michigan 18
-- 8:01 first half
Trey Burke is doing Trey Burke things. He's 4-of-6 from the field and has 10 points -- while the rest of the team is 1-for-10. Tim Hardaway just hit a jumper for the lone make. A reminder: We're 12 minutes into the game. Burke is everything for Michigan right now.

Penn State 17, Michigan 11
-- 10:25 first half
Michigan still doesn't have a field goal since 17:04, but at least got a pair of free throws from Glenn Robinson III. Penn State is amid a 13-3 run. Zero energy from Michigan right now. None.

Penn State 14, Michigan 9
-- 11:50 first half
Not a lot of energy early from Michigan. The last field goal came from Trey Burke at 17:04 -- more than 5 minutes ago. The only point came on a single Caris LeVert free throw, and Michigan finds itself trailing 12-9. One would think Michigan would be sharp after its disaster at MSU -- but this has been anything but.

Penn State 9, Michigan 8
-- 15:54 first half
Trey Burke was about the only player to show up for the Michigan State game, and he's back at it today. He's 3-of-3 from the field and has scored seven of the Wolverines' first eight points. The guy is filthy.

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Jordan Morgan is back in the starting lineup for the first time since injuring his ankle against Illinois. He's joined by the usuals. It'll be interesting to see if/how the dynamic of the team shifts. Michigan was playing its best ball when he was healthy, but Mitch McGary also has improved his play. How will the minutes be divvied?

The Wolverines began the season 20-1 and ascended to the top spot in the country, but have since scuffled, dropping three of their past four games and falling 2.5 games behind league leader Michigan State.

Their last effort was the worst of the season, a 23-point trainwreck at Michigan State.

No. 4 Michigan (21-4, 8-4) will look to get back on track Sunday at Crisler Center against the hapless Nittany Lions (8-16, 0-12).

They also will wear white throwback jerseys honoring the 1967-668 team -- the first to play in what is now called the Crisler Center. The arena, which underwent extensive renovations in the offseason, will be rededicated during Sunday's game.

Can they get a throwback performance as well?

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